ID :
96491
Thu, 12/24/2009 - 02:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/96491
The shortlink copeid
GROWING MALAYSIAN MARKET IN MACAU'S TOURISM SECTOR ANTICIPATED
KUCHING (Malaysia), Dec 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is expected to continue being a growing market for Macau's tourism sector, especially with the recent pick-up following signs of recovery from the Influenza A (H1N1) and global economic crisis.
Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) representative in Malaysia, marketing
manager Ho Yoke Ping, said Tuesday there were thrice daily direct flights from
Kuala Lumpur besides thrice weekly from Kuching, capital city of East Malaysia
Sarawak state and four times weekly from Kota Kinabalu, capital city of East
Malaysia Sabah state and northern Penang state in Peninsular Malaysia, to Macau
currently.
"The AirAsia (Malaysia's low cost airline) passenger load to Macau, which
marked the 10th anniversary of its return to China on Sunday, is normally about
70 per cent but fully packed during peak season like schools holidays," she told
reporters after hosting an appreciation luncheon for local tour and travel
agents and the media here.
She said the Malaysian market, which was among its top tourist arrivals, saw
286,000 visiting Macau from January to November this year compared to about
400,000 during the same period last year, due partly to the global recession and
H1N1 pandemic.
The 29-square kilometre Chinese territory of 500,000 population recorded
about 27 million visitors last year.
While Macau's reputation as a "casino" destination due to its vibrant
gambling industry appealed to the older generation, Ho said a survey conducted
by MGTO showed that the younger set preferred its Portuguese-influence heritage,
unique Macanese food and entertainment.
Apart from having five Unesco accredited heritage sites as well as the newly
opened typhoon-shaped Science Centre, many events were being organised
throughout the year, particularly during the summer months, she said.
Ho said for Malaysians planning to visit Macau, they would have to apply for
visas if their stay surpassed 30 days while valid document was necessary in
order to cross over mainland China via the Pearl River Delta region.
Hong Kong could also be reached from Macau by a 45-minute ferry crossing,
which operated on an hourly frequency daily, she said.
-- BERNAMA
Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) representative in Malaysia, marketing
manager Ho Yoke Ping, said Tuesday there were thrice daily direct flights from
Kuala Lumpur besides thrice weekly from Kuching, capital city of East Malaysia
Sarawak state and four times weekly from Kota Kinabalu, capital city of East
Malaysia Sabah state and northern Penang state in Peninsular Malaysia, to Macau
currently.
"The AirAsia (Malaysia's low cost airline) passenger load to Macau, which
marked the 10th anniversary of its return to China on Sunday, is normally about
70 per cent but fully packed during peak season like schools holidays," she told
reporters after hosting an appreciation luncheon for local tour and travel
agents and the media here.
She said the Malaysian market, which was among its top tourist arrivals, saw
286,000 visiting Macau from January to November this year compared to about
400,000 during the same period last year, due partly to the global recession and
H1N1 pandemic.
The 29-square kilometre Chinese territory of 500,000 population recorded
about 27 million visitors last year.
While Macau's reputation as a "casino" destination due to its vibrant
gambling industry appealed to the older generation, Ho said a survey conducted
by MGTO showed that the younger set preferred its Portuguese-influence heritage,
unique Macanese food and entertainment.
Apart from having five Unesco accredited heritage sites as well as the newly
opened typhoon-shaped Science Centre, many events were being organised
throughout the year, particularly during the summer months, she said.
Ho said for Malaysians planning to visit Macau, they would have to apply for
visas if their stay surpassed 30 days while valid document was necessary in
order to cross over mainland China via the Pearl River Delta region.
Hong Kong could also be reached from Macau by a 45-minute ferry crossing,
which operated on an hourly frequency daily, she said.
-- BERNAMA
